The top 10 attractions in Arizona are the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Sedona’s red rocks, Monument Valley, Havasu Falls, Saguaro National Park, Petrified Forest National Park, Lake Powell and Meteor Crater. Most sit in northern Arizona, and several are on Navajo or Havasupai land rather than federal land, so each one has its own permits, fees and rules.
That last point is what most Arizona lists skip. Arizona draws more than 40 million visitors a year, and a lot of trips go wrong not because people pick the wrong place, but because they show up at a tribal park with a federal pass or arrive at a slot canyon without a booked tour. This guide ranks the ten best attractions and tells you who manages each one, so you know what to book before you go.
Who runs what: the quick planning table
| Attraction | Managed by | Do you need to book ahead? |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Canyon | National Park Service | Lodging and camping, yes |
| Antelope Canyon | Navajo Nation | Yes, guided tour only |
| Horseshoe Bend | Navajo Nation (Page area) | No, pay at the lot |
| Sedona | Coconino National Forest and city | Parking pass for many trailheads |
| Monument Valley | Navajo Nation Tribal Park | Only for guided tours |
| Havasu Falls | Havasupai Tribe | Yes, permit required |
| Saguaro NP | National Park Service | No |
| Petrified Forest NP | National Park Service | No |
| Lake Powell | National Park Service (Glen Canyon) | For boat tours, yes |
| Meteor Crater | Private | No |
1. Grand Canyon National Park
The Grand Canyon is the reason most people come to Arizona. The park covers 278 miles of the Colorado River and the uplands beside it, and it sits on the ancestral homelands of 11 present-day Tribal Communities, according to the National Park Service. Roughly 5 million people visit each year, and the large majority use the South Rim, which stays open all year.
Three things matter for planning. First, entrance passes are valid for up to seven days. The standard fee runs from $20 to $35 depending on how you arrive, and since January 1, 2026, nonresident visitors aged 16 and over pay an extra $100 per person unless they hold an America the Beautiful Non-Resident Annual Pass. Second, the Desert View entrance, about 74 miles from Flagstaff, is usually less crowded than the main South Entrance. Third, the North Rim is seasonal, typically mid-May to mid-October, so check it before you build a route around it.
2. Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon, near Page, is the most photographed slot canyon in the Southwest. Water has carved and polished the sandstone into smooth curves and layered colors, and in the Upper canyon, shafts of light drop through the narrow opening overhead.
You cannot walk in alone. The canyon is on Navajo land and a guided tour is required. Upper Antelope is flatter and tends to be more crowded and more expensive, while Lower Antelope is a narrow walk of roughly a quarter mile that involves ladders, so it suits you better if you are comfortable climbing. Antelope Canyon X is a quieter third option. Most operators do not allow tripods, and tours can be cancelled for weather, so book early and keep a flexible day.
3. Horseshoe Bend
Horseshoe Bend is the quickest big payoff on this list. The Colorado River makes a roughly 270 degree turn around a rock formation below the viewpoint, and the walk from the lot is short. It sits about 10 minutes from the Antelope Canyon tour offices, which is why most visitors pair them on one day.
Entry is free but you pay for parking; at last check the fee was about $10 per vehicle, so confirm it before you go. One safety note: only a small section of the rim is fenced. The drop is high, and visitors who step past the barrier for a photo are taking a real risk. Go near sunrise or late afternoon to avoid the midday glare and the biggest crowds.
4. Sedona
Sedona is the best-known red rock town in Arizona, surrounded by sandstone buttes, pine forest and canyon walls. It works as a base for hiking, scenic drives and the Chapel of the Holy Cross, a chapel built into the rock that is one of the best-known architectural landmarks in the state.
Many Sedona trailheads sit inside Coconino National Forest and require a recreation pass for parking, so check the forest service’s current guidance before you arrive. Sedona is also a convenient hub for day trips toward Flagstaff, the Grand Canyon and the Verde Valley. Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons for walking the trails.
5. Monument Valley
Monument Valley is the landscape people picture when they think of the American West. It is a Navajo Tribal Park, not a national park, and America the Beautiful and other federal passes are not accepted. You pay the park’s own per-person entry fee, which was $8 before the Navajo Nation announced fee increases effective January 1, 2026, so confirm the current amount.
The 17-mile Valley Drive is a rough dirt loop that you can drive yourself in a suitable vehicle, though RVs, camper vans and motorcycles are prohibited. Large parts of the park, including Mystery Valley, are open only with a licensed Navajo guide, and guided tours generally run from about $60 to over $120 per person depending on length. Dogs are not allowed. Plan a half day for the drive and add a guided tour if you want to see the backcountry.
6. Havasu Falls
Havasu Falls is the turquoise waterfall hidden inside the Havasupai Reservation, and it is the hardest permit on this list. You must hold a reservation to hike in. The trail to the village and campground is roughly 10 miles each way, and the reservation covers three nights.
The 2026 rates were $455 per person for the campground and $2,277 per lodge room for up to four people. Permits are not transferable, the trail is closed in December and January, and dogs are not allowed. In 2026 the tribe added an early-access sale and a partial refund policy for cancellations made at least 90 days ahead. Because the 2027 dates and prices may differ, check the official Havasupai reservation site before you plan around it.
7. Saguaro National Park
Saguaro National Park protects the giant saguaro cactus, the symbol of the Sonoran Desert, in two districts on either side of Tucson. It is an easy, low-cost way to see the desert landscape up close, with short loop drives and hiking trails that range from flat walks to long climbs.
Come in the cooler months. Southern Arizona is at its most pleasant from about October to April, and summer heat makes midday hiking miserable. If you have an extra half day, pair the park with the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson, which combines a zoo, botanical garden and natural history museum focused on desert ecosystems.
8. Petrified Forest National Park
Petrified Forest National Park in northeastern Arizona is known for its colorful fossilized wood and the badlands of the Painted Desert. A single scenic road runs through the park, so it is easy to see the main stops in a few hours, which makes it a good break on a drive across the state.
It is less crowded than the headline canyons, and that is part of the appeal. Bring water, sun protection and a hat, because shade is limited. Taking petrified wood out of the park is illegal, so leave every piece where you find it.
9. Lake Powell
Lake Powell stretches across the Arizona and Utah border and is the water-focused stop on a northern Arizona trip. The town of Page is the usual base, and it is also the gateway to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, so the three pair naturally.
Boat tours are the easiest way to see the side canyons and red cliffs from the water, and some multi-stop day tours bundle a Lake Powell cruise with Antelope Canyon. If you want to rent a boat or paddle on your own, check current water levels and launch access first, since conditions on the lake change from year to year.
10. Meteor Crater
Meteor Crater, near Winslow and Flagstaff, is one of the best-preserved impact sites on Earth. It formed roughly 50,000 years ago and is about three quarters of a mile across and several hundred feet deep. It is privately owned, so it has its own admission and hours rather than a federal park pass.
It makes an easy stop on Interstate 40 between the Grand Canyon and the New Mexico border. Allow an hour or two for the rim trails, the museum and the views. It is a good fit for families and anyone who wants a quick, memorable detour.
When to go
Arizona has several climate zones, so the best season depends on where you are headed. Phoenix and central Arizona are best from November to April, southern Arizona from October to April, and eastern Arizona from June to September. For a northern Arizona road trip that combines the Grand Canyon, Page and Monument Valley, spring and fall are the safest bets.
Frequently asked questions
What is the number one attraction in Arizona? The Grand Canyon. It is one of the most visited national parks in the country and the main draw for visitors to the state.
Do I need a permit or tour for Antelope Canyon? Yes. Antelope Canyon is on Navajo land and can only be visited with a guided tour, so book ahead.
Can I use an America the Beautiful pass at Monument Valley? No. Monument Valley is a Navajo Tribal Park and does not accept federal passes. At the Grand Canyon, the pass can cover entry, and since January 1, 2026 nonresidents without a qualifying pass pay an extra $100 per person.
How many days do I need to see the top attractions? Plan at least five to seven days for the northern Arizona loop (Grand Canyon, Page, Monument Valley, Sedona), and add two or three days for Tucson and Saguaro National Park.